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Operating Status: OGE is affected by the lapse in appropriations.

To learn more read our lapse plan here. Please note, OGE continues to review financial disclosure reports of Presidential nominees to positions requiring Senate confirmation.

Related Guidance for Federal Employees:
LA-18-16: Ethics Laws and Regulations Continue to Apply to Federal Government Employees during Furlough Periods
LA-19-01 : Ethics Guidance for Employees in Non-Pay Status During a Lapse in Appropriations
This FAQ provides guidance for those employees who participated in the Deferred Resignation Program or who are in other extended leave status.



OGE Issues Guidance on the Effect of the Supreme Court’s Decision Striking Section 3 of DOMA

August 19, 2013


In light of the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is today issuing guidance regarding the effect of the decision on the Executive Branch ethics program. Based on this decision, OGE now interprets the terms “marriage,” “spouse” and “relative” to include same-sex marriages and same-sex spouses where those terms appear in federal ethics provisions, regardless of the employee’s state of residency.

The guidance clarifies that the Federal ethics rules will now apply to federal employees in same-sex marriages. For example, the financial interests of a federal employee’s same-sex spouse are now potential conflicts of interest for that employee. In addition, all federal employees, including those in same-sex marriages, are required to disclose their spouses’ financial information in financial disclosure reports.

For more information, please see Legal Advisory LA-13-10, dated August 19, 2013.

Link to PDF of Legal Advisory

Posted on August 19, 2013